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El presente trabajo analiza las relaciones entre la sedimentación y la estructuración del Arco de Cazorla-Alcaraz (Prebético Externo) durante el Mioceno superior en el saliente de Vianos (Albacete, España). Se describe la creación del depocentro local en la cuenca de antepaís más tardío que se produce por avance del arco. El surco fue delimitado por un pliegue en rodilla que tuvo expresión paleogeográfica y se colmató en condiciones marinas, en un episodio transgresivo posiblemente durante el final del Tortoniense. Se trata por tanto de uno de los puntos con depósitos miocenos marinos más jóvenes en el sector septentrional del Prebético Externo.

Background: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness and safety of a multidisciplinary early proactive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) program combined with Bayesian forecasting for infliximab (IFX) dose adjustment in a real-world dataset of paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A descriptive, ambispective, single-centre study of paediatric patients with IBD who underwent IFX serum concentration measurements between September 2015 and September 2023. The patients received reactive TDM before September 2019 (n = 17) and proactive TDM thereafter (n = 21). We analysed for clinical, biological, and endoscopic remission; treatment failure; hospitalisations; emergency visits; and adverse drug reactions. The IFX doses were adjusted to maintain trough concentrations ≥ 5 µg/mL, with specific targets for proactive TDM. Results: Of the 38 patients, 21 had Crohn’s disease (CD), 16 ulcerative colitis (UC), and 1 undetermined IBD. The mean (standard deviation) IFX trough concentrations were 6.83 (5.66) µg/mL (reactive) and 12.38 (9.24) µg/mL (proactive) (p = 0.08). No statistically significant differences between groups were found in remission rates or treatment failure. The proactive group had fewer hospitalisations (14.29% vs. 23.53%; p = 0.47) and shorter median hospitalisation days (6 vs. 19; p = 0.50), although the difference was not statistically significant. The number of patients with adverse reactions (infusion related reactions and infections) was higher in the proactive group (38.10% vs. 23.53%; p = 0.34) but the difference was not significantly different. Conclusions: Proactive TDM showed no significant differences in treatment outcomes compared to reactive TDM. However, the results in both the reactive and proactive TDM groups were not worse than those reported in other studies. Further studies with larger samples are needed to optimize the treatment strategies for pediatric IBD patients.

La importancia de la familia en la vida de las personas es ineludible. Uno de los retos de la educación, es lograr el vínculo adecuado de los padres para el desempeño fructífero de sus funciones. El presente artículo asume como objetivo elaborar una estrategia de orientación a las familias para el acompañamiento académico de los estudiantes del bachillerato técnico, Figura Profesional Comercio, de la Unidad Educativa Pichincha, en Manabí, Ecuador. Durante el desarrollo de la investigación, fueron aplicados los métodos teóricos, entre ellos, el inductivo – deductivo y el histórico lógico, que permitieron analizar el problema en la institución. Además, se utilizaron métodos empíricos como la observación, y se aplicó una encuesta a los padres de familia y docentes de la unidad educativa. La muestra de estudio fue de 25 representantes y padres de familia, y 15 docentes. Los resultados más relevantes indicaron que solo el 12% de los representantes y padres, tienen tiempo libre para realizar el debido acompañamiento académico de los estudiantes. El porcentaje de representantes y padres que siempre ayuda a sus hijos en las tareas y se preocupan por las calificaciones de sus representados, no supera la mitad de los encuestados. Como conclusión se evidencia una insuficiente participación de la familia en el acompañamiento académico de los estudiantes. PALABRAS CLAVE: vinculación; escuela-familia; acompañamiento académico. The school-family connection for the academic support of the students of the Technical Baccalaureate-Professional Figure of Commerce of the Pichincha Educational Unit ABSTRACT The importance of family in people's lives is inescapable. One of the challenges of education is to achieve the adequate bond of parents for the fruitful performance of their functions. The present article assumes the objective of developing a strategy to guide families for the academic accompaniment of students of Technical Baccalaureate-Professional Figure of Commerce of the Pichincha Educational Unit in Manabí, Ecuador. During the development of the research, the theoretical methods were applied, among them, the inductive - deductive and the logical historical, which allowed to analyze the problem in the institution. In addition, empirical methods such as observation were used, and a survey was applied to parents and teachers of the educational unit. The study sample consisted of 25 representatives and parents, and 15 teachers. The most relevant results indicated that only 12% of the representatives and parents have free time to carry out the due academic accompaniment of the students. The percentage of representatives and parents who always help their children with homework and care about the qualifications of their representatives, does not exceed half of those surveyed. As a conclusion, there is evidence of insufficient participation of the family in the academic accompaniment of the students. KEYWORDS: linkage; school-family; academic accompaniment.

This article analyzes the processes and findings of a collaborative action research (CAR) project that aimed to analyze the potential of materiality to radically transform the way English was taught and learned in an underprivileged public school in Spain. The CAR drew on "new materialisms" and "new literacy studies" to explore the relationship between matter and English language teaching from socioeconomic, sociocultural, and technological perspectives. The main pedagogical strategy consisted of widening the quantity and quality of the material resources in the English classroom, precisely to draw a material link between the English classroom and the students' homes, communities, and the informal literacies they enacted in them. Through two cycles of inquiry, the CAR team put into practice two multimodal and artifactual workshops with a group of nine children from underprivileged, minority backgrounds. A variety of qualitative strategies were used (including classroom recordings, student interviews, and photographs) to confirm that the insights from new materialisms and new literacy studies had generated opportunities for meaningful English learning within a culturally sustaining pedagogy.

Background: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness and safety of a multidisciplinary early proactive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) program combined with Bayesian forecasting for infliximab (IFX) dose adjustment in a real-world dataset of paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A descriptive, ambispective, single-centre study of paediatric patients with IBD who underwent IFX serum concentration measurements between September 2015 and September 2023. The patients received reactive TDM before September 2019 (n = 17) and proactive TDM thereafter (n = 21). We analysed for clinical, biological, and endoscopic remission; treatment failure; hospitalisations; emergency visits; and adverse drug reactions. The IFX doses were adjusted to maintain trough concentrations ≥ 5 µg/mL, with specific targets for proactive TDM. Results: Of the 38 patients, 21 had Crohn's disease (CD), 16 ulcerative colitis (UC), and 1 undetermined IBD. The mean (standard deviation) IFX trough concentrations were 6.83 (5.66) µg/mL (reactive) and 12.38 (9.24) µg/mL (proactive) (p = 0.08). No statistically significant differences between groups were found in remission rates or treatment failure. The proactive group had fewer hospitalisations (14.29% vs. 23.53%; p = 0.47) and shorter median hospitalisation days (6 vs. 19; p = 0.50), although the difference was not statistically significant. The number of patients with adverse reactions (infusion related reactions and infections) was higher in the proactive group (38.10% vs. 23.53%; p = 0.34) but the difference was not significantly different. Conclusions: Proactive TDM showed no significant differences in treatment outcomes compared to reactive TDM. However, the results in both the reactive and proactive TDM groups were not worse than those reported in other studies. Further studies with larger samples are needed to optimize the treatment strategies for pediatric IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-nuclear (ANA) are present in approximately 90% of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and are key biomarkers in supporting the diagnosis and determining the prognosis of this disease. In addition to the classification criteria autoantibodies for SSc [i.e., anti-centromere, anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70), anti-RNA polymerase III], other autoantibodies have been associated with important SSc phenotypes. Among them, anti-U11/U12 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies, also known as anti-RNPC-3, were first reported in a patient with SSc, but very little is known about their association and clinical utility. The U11/U12 RNP macromolecular complex consists of several proteins involved in alternative mRNA splicing. More recent studies demonstrated associations of anti-anti-U11/U12 antibodies with SSc and severe pulmonary fibrosis as well as with moderate to severe gastrointestinal dysmotility. Lastly, anti-U11/U12 autoantibodies have been strongly associated with malignancy in SSc patients. Here, we aimed to summarize the knowledge of anti-U11/U12/RNPC-3 antibodies in SSc, including their seroclinical associations in a narrative literature review.

Objectives Systemic sclerosis (SSc)-specific autoantibodies allow the diagnosis and predict the prognosis of SSc patients with different clinical characteristics. The aim of this study was to describe new SSc-related autoantibodies by a novel protein immunoprecipitation (IP) assay. Methods Serum samples and clinical data were collected from 307 SSc patients. Antinuclear autoantibodies were tested in all patients by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells. SSc-specific autoantibodies were evaluated with a commercial immunoblot and chemiluminescence immunoassay, and traditional RNA-IP. Patients negative for all these autoantibodies (n  = 51) were further tested with a non-radioactive protein IP assay. Protein bands detected on SDS–PAGE were then analysed by mass spectrometry (MS) and confirmed by western blot (WB). Additional 56 patients with nucleolar pattern by IIF were tested by protein IP-WB. Results Five patients who underwent protein IP testing showed a 110-115kDa molecular weight band on SDS–PAGE and a homogeneous nucleolar pattern by IIF. MS identified the bands as nuclear valosin-containing protein-like (NVL). An additional positive patient was detected by IP-WB. As compared with the remaining 101 negative patients, anti-NVL positive patients showed a greater prevalence of calcinosis (100% vs 18.9%, P  < 0.001), and cancer (66.7% vs 8.9%, P  = 0.002), with a particular association with synchronous cancer (OR = 16.3; P  = 0.024). Conclusion We identified NVL as a new autoantibody target by a novel protein IP assay in SSc patients with a homogeneous nucleolar IIF pattern, testing negative for all known SSc-specific autoantibodies by commercial assays and RNA IP. Anti-NVL identifies a new clinical phenotype, characterized by calcinosis and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesAnti-TIF-1γ autoantibody detection is important for cancer screening in patients with dermatomyositis. The gold standard for anti-TIF-1γ detection, immunoprecipitation, is only available from a few specialized laboratories worldwide, so commercial ELISA/immunoblot tests have emerged in recent years. To analyze their usefulness in diagnosing cancer-associated dermatomyositis, we compared Euroimmun Euroline profile with our previously validated in-house immunoblot assay with human recombinant TIF-1γ.MethodsWe included 308 adult patients from Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau and Vall Hebrón Hospital (Barcelona, Spain) tested for anti-TIF-1γ autoantibodies using the Euroline profile and an in-house immunoblot assay.ResultsA total of 27 anti-TIF-1γ were detected by the Euroline and 12 by the in-house assay. Fair agreement was observed between Euroline and the in-house immunoblot Cohen’s kappa 0.3163. Expected prevalence of anti-TIF-1γ autoantibodies was observed for the two methods for dermatomyositis and undifferentiated connective tissue diseases, but unexpectedly high prevalence of anti-TIF-1γ autoantibodies was detected by Euroline compared to the in-house immunoblot for other diseases (16.5% Euroline vs 0.8% in-house immunoblot, p

En el año 2011, la Asociación Internacional para el Estudio del Cáncer de Pulmón, la Sociedad Americana de Medicina Torácica y la Sociedad Europea de Patología Respiratoria (IASLC / ATS / ERS), publicaron una nueva clasificación histológica del adenocarcinoma pulmonar. Esta clasificación se ocupa de muchos aspectos que afectan directamente a la práctica clínica diaria y abre nuevas puertas para futuras investigaciones. Con ello existe una clara distinción entre le- siones preinvasivas, mínimamente invasivas e invasivas. Gracias a su enfoque multidisciplinario, difiere significativa- mente de la antigua clasificación de 2004 propuesta por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), que fue escrita principalmente por patólogos. Las modificaciones principales de esta clasificación incluyen la abolición del término “carcinoma bronquioloalveolar”, el establecimiento de nuevos sistemas de clasificación para la resección y biopsia, el énfasis de la prueba molecular y la evaluación histológica integral de las muestras tumorales. Con este artículo preten- demos realizar una revisión lo más actualizada posible sobre esta nueva clasificación del adenocarcinoma pulmonar y sus principales implicaciones pronósticas y de tratamiento.

Assertive communication is a social skill that allows people to express their emotions and thoughts in an appropriate manner, respecting the opinions and rights of others. Within the educational context, the development of assertiveness fosters the construction of good interpersonal relationships among the members of the educational community, and encourages the constant improvement and interpersonal union of students. However, this topic has been little studied and applied within schools and colleges. Therefore, the objective of this research was: To design an educational strategy for the development of assertive communication, with emphasis on interpersonal relationships, in first year high school students of the Simón Bolívar Educational Unit. For this purpose, a descriptive non-experimental study with a quantitative approach was carried out. The Assertive Behavior Self-Report Test (ADCA-1) and an observation of 16 first year high school students were applied, plus an interview with their teachers. With the results obtained, it was possible to elaborate a proposal, evaluated by 11 specialists, which involves a set of activities aimed at developing the students' assertive communication. In conclusion, the proposal is feasible and pertinent, therefore, it can be applied in the described context as well as in other similar ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: There are few data on corticosteroids (CS)‐sparing strategies for checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐induced liver injury (ChILI). Aim: We aimed to assess the performance of a 2‐step algorithm for severe ChILI, based on ICI temporary discontinuation (step‐1) and, if lack of biochemical improvement, CS based on the degree of necroinflammation at biopsy (step‐2). Methods: Prospective study that included all subjects with grade 3/4 ChILI. Peripheral extended immunophenotyping was performed. Indication for CS: severe necroinflammation; mild or moderate necroinflammation with later biochemical worsening. Results: From 111 subjects with increased transaminases (January 2020 to August 2023), 44 were diagnosed with grade 3 (N = 35) or grade 4 (N = 9) ChILI. Main reason for exclusion was alternative diagnosis. Lung cancer (13) and melanoma (12) were the most common malignancies. ICI: 23(52.3%) anti‐PD1, 8(18.2%) anti‐PD‐L1, 3(6.8%) anti‐CTLA‐4, 10(22.7%) combined ICI. Liver injury pattern: hepatocellular (23,52.3%) mixed (12,27.3%) and cholestatic (9,20.5%). 14(32%) presented bilirubin >1.2 mg/dL. Overall, 30(68.2%) patients did not require CS: 22(50.0%) due to ICI discontinuation (step‐1) and 8/22 (36.4%) based on the degree of necroinflammation (step‐2). Biopsy mainly impacted on grade 3 ChILI, sparing CS in 8 out of 15 (53.3%) non‐improvement patients after ICI discontinuation. CD8+ HLA‐DR expression (p = 0.028), central memory (p = 0.046) were lower in CS‐free managed subjects, but effector‐memory cells (p = 0.002) were higher. Time to transaminases normalisation was shorter in those CS‐free managed (overall: p < 0.001, grade 3: p < 0.001). Considering our results, a strategy based on ICI discontinuation and biopsy for grade 3 ChILI is proposed. Conclusions: An algorithm based on temporary immunotherapy discontinuation and biopsy allows CS avoidance in two thirds of cases of severe ChILI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Myositis specific antibodies (MSA) represent important diagnostic and stratification tools in idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) patients. Here we aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of MSA profiled by a novel particle based multi-analyte technology (PMAT) in IIM and subsets thereof. (2) Methods: 264 IIM patients and 200 controls were tested for MSA using PMAT (Inova Diagnostics, research use only). Diagnostic performance was analyzed and composite scores were generated. (3) Results: The sensitivity/specificity of the individual MSA were: 19.7%/100% (Jo-1), 7.2%/100.0% (Mi-2), 3.0%/99.0% (NXP2), 3.8%/100.0% (SAE), 2.7%/100.0% (PL-7), 1.9%/99.5 (PL-12), 1.1%/100.0% (EJ), 15.5%/99.5% (TIF1γ), 8.3%/98.5% (MDA5), 6.1%/99.0% (HMGCR) and 1.9%/98.5% (SRP). Of all IIM patients, 180/264 tested positive for at least one of the MSAs. In the individual control group, 12/200 (6.0%) tested positive for at least one MSA, most of which had levels close to the cut-off (except one SRP and one PL-12). Only 6/264 (2.3%) IIM patients were positive for more than one antibody (MDA5/HMGCR, EJ/PL-7, 2 x MDA5/TIF1γ, EJ/SAE, SAE/TIF1γ). The overall sensitivity was 68.2% paired with a specificity of 94.0%, leading to an odds ratio of 33.8. The composite scores showed good discrimination between subgroups (e.g., anti-synthetase syndrome). (4) Conclusion: MSA, especially when combined in composite scores (here measured by PMAT), provide value in stratification of patients with IIM.

Introducción: El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar las características de los pacientes atendidos en nuestra Uni- dad así como el porcentaje de abandono obtenido. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de los pacientes atendidos en la Unidad de Tabaquismo del Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real desde Enero de 2016 a Junio de 2017. Resultados: Fueron atendidos un total de 347 pacientes (dos de ellos fueron excluidos del análisis al ser exitus durante el seguimiento). El 58,8% de los pacientes mostraron un grado moderado de dependencia a la nicotina (medida por el Test de Fagerström). El 62,3% de los pacientes iniciaron algún tipo de terapia para el abandono, de ellos se mantuvieron abstinentes al año el 56,3%.

La Catedral de Santa Maria de Cuenca es uno de los edificios más emblemáticos la ciudad, declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la Unesco en 1996. Las múltiples alteraciones que el edificio ha sufrido a lo largo de los siglos dificultan mucho su comprensión. En este trabajo se constatan estas modificaciones mediante el estudio de una bóveda cuatripartita de crucería, donde se mezclan el estilo gótico con el renacentista. Para ello mediante un levantamiento planimétrico y despiece de la basa de sus pilares, de sus arcos apuntados, perpianos y cruceros, de su clave e incluso de la plementería se ha podido entender la estereotomía de la bóveda a partir de la modelización en 3D de dicha bóveda construida integramente en piedra.

El presente artículo se propone sintetizar algunas ideas relacionadas con la emoción de la ira. Enuncia primero una conceptualización personal del fenómeno emocional; las principales teorías que han abordado el mismo, así como las funciones de las emociones. A continuación se propone una conceptualización de la ira basada en los criterios de Edmonson y Conger (1996); una descripción en detalle de sus componentes y una breve referencia al caráctera sociativo de los mismos (Berkowitz,1994). Por otra parte se establecen diferenciaciones necesarias con otros constructos y se detallan, asumiendo la perspectiva de Eckhardt y Deffenbacher(1995), los diferentes determinantes en la presencia de un episodio de ira. Finalmente se describen, de forma breve, los tipos de psicoterapia que han mostrado determinada eficacia en el tratamiento de los problemas de ira.

Abordó la exploración de las implicaciones de las modalidades de expresión de la ira entre adolescentes tempranos de la zona oriental de Cuba. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 498 adolescentes tempranos de Holguín y Santiago de Cuba respectivamente. Se obtuvo que la expresión abierta, y destructiva de la ira correlacionó negativamente con el autoconcepto en dominios de la escuela y las relaciones con el sexo opuesto. La expresión inhibida o interiorizada de esta emoción predijo fuertemente aspectos del autoconcepto relacionados con el dominio de la escuela. La ira expresada de forma controlada, calmada y asertiva se relacionó fuertemente con el autoconcepto en dimensiones generales, del ámbito escolar, de las relaciones interpersonales y de cualidades de honestidad y seguridad. Se recomienda realizar estudios paralelos para obtener información en otras etapas del desarrollo humano.

Se abordó la descripción de la percepción del riesgo en un grupo de adolescentes tardíos de una institución educativa del municipio de Holguín. Se obtiene que la Percepción del Riesgo fue inadecuada para toda la muestra y el autoreporte de los adolescentes acerca de la influencia de la percepción del riesgo en el inicio del consumo fue escasa y subvalorada. La muestra identificó como factores determinantes en el inicio del consumo la satisfacción de necesidades cognoscitivas, el cumplimiento de metas y retos personales y la presión grupal ejercida por los amigos. Se recomienda un seguimiento especializado a dichos adolescentes.

Anti-nuclear (ANA) are present in approximately 90% of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and are key biomarkers in supporting the diagnosis and determining the prognosis of this disease. In addition to the classification criteria autoantibodies for SSc [i.e., anti-centromere, anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70), anti-RNA polymerase III], other autoantibodies have been associated with important SSc phenotypes. Among them, anti-U11/U12 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies, also known as anti-RNPC-3, were first reported in a patient with SSc, but very little is known about their association and clinical utility. The U11/U12 RNP macromolecular complex consists of several proteins involved in alternative mRNA splicing. More recent studies demonstrated associations of anti-anti-U11/U12 antibodies with SSc and severe pulmonary fibrosis as well as with moderate to severe gastrointestinal dysmotility. Lastly, anti-U11/U12 autoantibodies have been strongly associated with malignancy in SSc patients. Here, we aimed to summarize the knowledge of anti-U11/U12/RNPC-3 antibodies in SSc, including their seroclinical associations in a narrative literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aborda el proceso de validación de dos instrumentos diagnósticos: Escala Pediátrica de la Expresión de la Ira y Juego Clase, aplicados a un grupo de adolescentes tempranos. Se obtiene que ambos instrumentos poseen índices aceptables y altos de confiabilidad y se reporta validez de constructo. Se comprueba que los adolescentes que externalizan la ira emiten menos comportamientos prosociales que aquellos que la manejan de forma controlada, quienes son más sociables, aceptados, y tienen más amigos. Los adolescentes que reprimen su ira son los que menos comportamientos prosociales emiten. Los varones expresan de forma más abierta su ira que las hembras.

Aborda el estudio de las variables que caracterizan el desarrollo social de un grupo de niños (segundo grado, enseñanza primaria) y la determinación del tipo de relación que guardan con el ajuste escolar. Se demuestra la existencia de características distintivas del desarrollo en términos de competencia e incompetencia social. Se obtienen correlaciones positivas entre las manifestaciones de la competencia y el ajuste, y correlaciones negativas entre este último y los casos de incompetencia social. Se expresan correlaciones positivas entre variables de la competencia social y la competencia académica, ocurriendo lo contrario para el caso de las incompetencias sociales

This piece of work dealt with the concept of 'biogas upgrading' or enrichment of the CH4 contained in a sweetened biogas to proportions and features comparable to those of synthetic natural gas (SNG). For this, the behavior of three lab made catalysts (Ni/Al2O3, Ru/Al2O3, and Ni–Fe/Al2O3) was tested in a CO2 methanation reaction (Sabatier reaction) under different feeding conditions (with and without methane). In the first set of experiments (without methane), the good catalytic behavior of the solids was validated. All three catalysts offered similar and increasing CO2 conversions with increasing temperature (range studied from 250 to 400 °C) at a constant WHSV of 30 × 103 STPmL·gcat−1·h−1. The CH4 selectivity remained close to one in all cases. Considering their total metallic load, the Ru (3.7 wt%)-based catalyst stood out remarkably, with TOF values that reached up to 5.1 min−1, this being six or three times higher, than those obtained with the Ni (10.3 wt%) and Ni–Fe (7.4–2.1 wt%) catalysts, respectively. In the second set (cofeeding methane), and also for the three catalysts, a high correspondence between the conversions (and selectivities) obtained with both types of feeds was observed. This indicated that the addition of CH4 to the system did not severely modify the reaction mechanism, resulting in the possibility of taking advantage of the 'biogas upgrading' process by using H2 produced off-peak by electrolysis. In order to maximize the CH4 yield, temperatures in the range from 350–375 °C and a H2:CO2 molar ratio of 6:1 were determined as the optimal reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. The concomitant presence of both crescentic proliferation and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in this pathology represents a rare coincidence. However, it is not clear to what extent the presence of ANCA (IgA or IgG) in these patients could have any clinical significance. The aim of the current work is to describe the presence of ANCA (IgA or IgG) in patients with IgAN and crescentic proliferation and its possible clinical implications. Methods: We retrospectively recruited all patients in our center with a histological diagnosis of IgAN with crescentic proliferation between January 2013 and December 2020. The main demographic and clinicopathologic data, fundamental histological characteristics, as well as the treatments implemented and main kidney outcomes, were collected and analyzed at a 6 and 12-month follow-up. Results: Between January 2013 and December 2020, a total of 17 adults were diagnosed with concomitant crescentic proliferation through a kidney biopsy of IgAN. Five (29.4%) patients showed ANCA, three (60%) showed IgA-ANCA and two (40%) showed IgG-ANCA. All ANCA-positive patients had some degree of crescentic proliferation. At diagnosis, the mean age of patients was 48 years old (range: 27–75). Nine of them were women (52%) and the most common clinical presentation was hypertension (71%). At the time of biopsy, the mean serum creatinine and proteinuria were 2.2 mg/dL (DS 1.42) and 3.5 g/mgCr (DS 1.22), respectively, with no statistical differences between ANCA-positive and -negative patients. Histological analyses showed that 11 out of the 12 (91%) ANCA-negative IgAN patients displayed less than 25% cellular crescents, whereas 100% of ANCA-positive IgAN patients displayed more than 25% cellular crescents (p = 0.04). Notably, five (30%) patients displayed fibrinoid necrosis, with four of them (80%) being IgAN-ANCA-positive (p = 0.01). Only one ANCA-negative patient needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) upon admission (5%). The mean serum creatinine and proteinuria were 1.94 mg/dL (DS 1.71) and 1.45 g/gCr (DS 1.78), respectively, within 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy. At 12-month follow-up, the mean creatinine was 1.57 mg/dL (DS 1). Four (23.5%) patients needed RRT at the end of the follow-up and four (23.5%) patients died. Conclusions: Probably due to the limited number of IgAN-ANCA-positive and IgAN-ANCA-negative patients, no significant differences were found between the clinical and laboratory characteristics. IgAN-ANCA-negative patients seemed to display less extracapillary proliferation than IgAN-ANCA-positive patients, who tended to show significantly higher fibrinoid necrosis. There were no differences regarding renal prognosis and patient survival after aggressive immunosuppressive therapy within 6 and 12 months when comparing the two samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein O‐fucosyltransferase 2 (PoFUT2) is an inverting glycosyltransferase (GT) that fucosylates thrombospondin repeats (TSRs) from group 1 and 2. PoFUT2 recognizes a large and diverse number of TSRs through a dynamic network of water‐mediated interactions. By X‐ray structural studies of C. elegans PoFUT2 complexed to a TSR of group 2, we demonstrate that this GT recognizes similarly the 3D structure of TSRs from both groups 1 and 2. Its active site is highly exposed to the solvent, suggesting that water molecules might also play an essential role in the fucosylation mechanism. We applied QM/MM methods using human PoFUT2 as a model, and found that HsPoFUT2 follows a classical SN2 reaction mechanism in which water molecules contribute to a great extent in facilitating the release of the leaving pyrophosphate unit, causing the H transfer from the acceptor nucleophile (Thr/Ser) to the catalytic base, which is the last event in the reaction. This demonstrates the importance of water molecules not only in recognition of the ligands but also in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyse the prevalence, the clinical characteristics, the overall survival and the event-free survival (EFS) of SSc patients who express anti-U11/U12 RNP (RNPC-3) antibodies. Methods A total of 447 SSc patients from Barcelona (n  = 286) and Milan (n  = 161) were selected. All samples were tested using a particle-based multi-analyte technology. We compared anti-RNPC-3 positive and negative patients. Epidemiological, clinical features and survival were analysed. End-stage lung disease (ESLD) was defined if the patient developed forced vital capacity <50% of predicted, needed oxygen therapy or lung transplantation. EFS was defined as the period of time free of either ESLD or death. Results Nineteen of 447 (4.3%) patients had anti-RNPC-3 antibodies and interstitial lung disease (ILD) was more frequent (11, 57.9% vs 144, 33.6%, P  =0.030) in individuals with anti-RNPC-3 antibodies. More patients reached ESLD in the positive group (7, 36.8% vs 74, 17.3%, P  = 0.006), and a higher use of non-glucocorticoid immunosuppressive drugs was observed (11, 57.9% vs 130, 30.4%, P  = 0.012). Anti-RNPC-3 positive patients had lower EFS, both in the total cohort (log-rank P  =0.001), as well as in patients with ILD (log-rank P  = 0.002). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, diffuse cutaneous subtype, age at onset, the presence of ILD or pulmonary arterial hypertension and the expression of anti-RNPC-3 positivity or anti-topo I were independently associated with worse EFS. Conclusion The presence of anti-RNPC-3 was associated with higher frequency of ILD and either ESLD or death. These data suggest anti-RNPC-3 is an independent poor prognosis antibody in SSc, especially if ILD is also present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative learning can improve the pedagogical effectiveness of MOOCs. Group formation, an essential step in the design of collaborative learning activities, can be challenging in MOOCs given the scale and the wide variety in such contexts. We discuss the need for considering the behaviours of the students in the course to form groups in MOOC contexts, and propose a grouping approach that employs homogeneity in terms of students' engagement in the course. Two grouping strategies with different degrees of homogeneity are derived from this approach, and their impact to form successful groups is examined in a real MOOC context. The grouping criteria were established using student activity logs (e.g. page-views). The role of the timing of grouping was also examined by carrying out the intervention once in the first and once in the second half of the course. The results indicate that in both interventions, the groups formed with a greater degree of homogeneity had higher rates of task-completion and peer interactions, Additionally, students from these groups reported higher levels of satisfaction with their group experiences. On the other hand, a consistent improvement of all indicators was observed in the second intervention, since student engagement becomes more stable later in the course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their Research Article (e202213610), Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero, Pedro Merino, and co-workers show using QM/MM methods how the enzyme takes advantage of a high exposure of the active site, allowing water molecules to facilitate a pure S SB N sb 2 mechanism. Inside Back Cover: The Essential Role of Water Molecules in the Reaction Mechanism of Protein O-Fucosyltransferase 2 (Angew. Keywords: Enzyme Catalysis; Fucosylation; Glycosyltransferases; Protein Glycosylation; QM/MM EN Enzyme Catalysis Fucosylation Glycosyltransferases Protein Glycosylation QM/MM 1 1 1 11/22/22 20221125 NES 221125 B Like a bow b , PoFUT2 arms a peptide (arrow) and launches it once glycosylated with the help of a water environment. [Extracted from the article]

Enzyme Catalysis, Fucosylation, Glycosyltransferases, Protein Glycosylation, QM/MM Keywords: Enzyme Catalysis; Fucosylation; Glycosyltransferases; Protein Glycosylation; QM/MM EN Enzyme Catalysis Fucosylation Glycosyltransferases Protein Glycosylation QM/MM 1 1 1 11/22/22 20221125 NES 221125 B Wie einen Bogen b spannt PoFUT2 ein Peptid (Pfeil) und schießt es nach Glykosylierung, unterstützt von einer Wasserumgebung, ab. In ihrem Forschungsartikel (e202213610) zeigen Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero, Pedro Merino et al. mithilfe von QM/MM-Methoden, wie das Enzym eine hohe Exposition des aktiven Zentrums ausnutzt, so dass Wassermoleküle einen reinen S SB N sb 2-Mechanismus ermöglichen. [Extracted from the article]

The goal of the current study was to investigate whether parental involvement is an important predictor of student outcomes within the Cuban school system, where extensive support for pupils’ progress and adjustment are available from the peer group, community, and family. The participants were 188 children in Grades 2 and 3 from four localities in Cuba. School-based involvement was significantly higher among parents of children not at risk for behavioral problems than among parents of at-risk children. Parental involvement in Year 1 did not significantly predict changes in student academic competency or total difficulties between Year 1 and Year 2. These results suggest that school-based parental involvement may be of some importance in the adjustment of Cuban children. Any effects of parental involvement, however, were not strong enough to cause changes in ratings of student adjustment and achievement from Year 1 to Year 2. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study which simulated the conditions in which Botrytis cinerea spores grow in controlled carbon dioxide-enriched atmospheres. The study evaluated the possibilities of predicting the shelf-life of a contaminated food product such as strawberry in such atmospheric conditions. The researchers analyzed the gas composition of the atmosphere. They studied the inhibitory effect of carbon dioxide concentration on colony fungal growth rate during storage.